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The Basics
The
Basics
Magic, or gramyre as it is properly
called, is a skill that few can use. There are several things to know about
magic, but we’ll start with the basics. To use magic, you have to have a certain
inborn power. First, you must summon the power. Somewhere in every Rider’s mind
lies a barrier between his magical powers and the rest of his mind. Once the
barrier is broken, you will feel the power rushing through your mind. Then, you
must use the power or let it fade away, back behind its barrier. If a Rider
wishes to use the magic, he must simply speak the word or expression in the
ancient language that describes you intention. Your magical abilities are
limited by 3 things; your knowledge of the language, the strength of your mind
and body, and the distance between you and the point in which you are trying to
make something happen. If someone were to attempt a magic that was beyond their
knowledge they could say something wrong or not miss a word, which could be a
deathly mistake. If someone were to attempt magic beyond their strength they
could die too. Magic uses your body’s energy. In fact, it takes the same amount
of energy to do something with magic as it would physically. So attempting too
many spells without rest or a spell beyond your body’s strength could be the
death of you. Distance also makes magic harder. It would be much safer to attack
someone with magic after you’ve moved closer than to attack an approaching army
a league away. Also, you do not technically need to actually speak the word to
use it. It is a very advanced skill to use the spell by only thinking the word
in your mind but it gives you a large advantage in combat and not having the
skill can mean a huge disadvantage against someone who has it.
The
Ancient Language
The ancient language is a powerful
speech that is usually spoken when someone is trying to use magic. It was
originally the common language of the elves, although other races now speak it
when they wish to use magic. Long ago, this was not so. Magic was controlled
merely with the mind, but it was a very hard thing to control, so the race of
elves got together and joined the power of magic with the language so that they
were intertwined. This makes the power easier to control. Now, it is impossible
to outright lie in the ancient language, although elves have perfected the art
of saying one thing and meaning another. The ancient language has a name, but it
was lost in the sands of time. The name is one of extreme power. It would give
the user control of the entire language and the people using it. Although people
have long searched for it, it has never been found. Even if it were found, it
would be suicide to use it because the power of the word would be beyond any
living being, killing them before they knew what they had done. There are also
personal names in the ancient language. A personal name in the ancient language
is referred to as a person’s “true name” Just like the rest of the language, a
name will give you control over its owner or control over yourself, if you are
it’s owner. That is why names in the ancient language are given to only a few
trusted people. Elves instinctively know theirs, but humans must discover it on
their own, or ask an elf who knows them well enough to have figured out their
true name. Names in the ancient language describe a person in a way that they
might not even know themselves. Many people have gone mad after learning the
truth. Riders often go on long journeys to discover their true name.
Scrying
Scrying is just one of the many
astonishing magical abilities used in the Inheritance Trilogy. Scrying is a way
to observe someone, something, or someplace in the present or near past. It is
only possible to scry something or someone you have seen before. In other words,
you must know what you are going to scry if you want to scry it. Many Riders
traveled all over Alagaesia, seeing as much as possible, so that, if the need
arose, they would have no problem scrying the place or person needed. Scrying
takes up a lot of energy, so it should only be used when needed. To scry, you
must first think of the person or thing you want to scry on. After forming a
solid image of it in your head you must simply utter the words in the ancient
language; Draumr Kopa or, in English, dream stare. It is easiest to scry on a
reflective surface, such as water or a mirror. Scrying in thin air would take up
tons of energy and leave the scryer exhausted.
Mind Breeching and Defense
A person’s mind is often called a
person’s last sanctuary. But, in the world of Alagaesia, it is not so simple.
Those who can use magic and, in some cases, those who can’t use magic, have the
ability to enter someone’s mind, then explore its contents or telepathically
communicate with the person or creature. Although, entering minds is often very
easy, there are still dangers and ethical decisions involved. In rare cases,
people are able to defend their mind, which would cause the enterer to see
nothing but a brick wall or another large solid object, which prevents them from
getting in. Other times, the user can be very aware of another minds presence
and trap them, as Arya did to Eragon when he tried to enter her mind. Therefore,
entering someone’s mind does not put him or her completely at your mercy.
Also, entering someone’s mind is a breeching of his or her last, truly free
place on earth. Rider’s who entered someone’s mind without a good reason would
be severely punished. Lastly, entering someone’s mind can also be used to
telepathically communicate with someone. This is how Eragon is able to
communicate with Saphira, Cadoc, and in one instance, Brom. The telepathic
communication can also be used to see through other persons or creatures eyes,
which often comes in handy when Eragon and Saphira are separated.
Wielders of Magic
The
Riders vs. Rest
There are many different kinds of
people who can use magic, but a Rider’s magic is the most exceptional. A
sorcerer, like a Shade, uses spirits to accomplish his will, although Shades are
sorcerer’s who has been possessed by spirits, so his ability isn’t really his to
control. A magician's power comes without the aid of spirits or a dragon.
Witches and wizards get their power from potions and spells. A Rider’s powers
are natural and usually aided with the presence of and a relationship with a
dragon.
A
Rider’s Training
When a Rider was in training, he or
she was put through a strict routine designed to strengthen his or her body and
increase his or her mental control. This routine continued for many months,
occasionally years, until the young Rider was deemed responsible enough to
handle magic. Then, the Rider in training was presented with a series of
pointless exercises designed to frustrate them. For example, they were
instructed to move piles of stones using only their feet, or fill ever draining
tubs full of water. After a time, they would get exasperated enough to use
magic. In Eragon’s case, two urgals, which had just injured Brom, had trapped
Eragon in an alleyway. Eragon was extremely mad and worried, and, before he knew
what had happened, an unknown power rushed through his mind. After screaming “brisingr”,
a huge blast of blue fire leapt from the Gedwëy Ignasia on his hand toward the
Urgals, swallowing them up in flame and leaving them dead in their tracks.
The
Gedwëy Ignasia
The Gedwëy
Ignasia is silvery, oval shaped mark in the center of a rider’s hand. It is
formed when a Rider first encounters his hatched dragon. The Gedwey Ignasia is
important for many reasons. First of all, it is the proof that a person is a
Rider. Secondly, it is the link between the Dragon and the Rider. Getting his
Gedwey Ignasia was the event that released Eragon’s mind, enabling him to breech
other people’s minds or simply communicate with them. The Gedwey Ignasia also
gives the Rider and the dragon the ability to combine forces, giving them the
ability to work magic beyond either of them alone. Gedwey Ignasia means,
“shining palm” in the ancient language. Riders are often referred to as Argetlam,
or, in English, silver hand, because of the
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